BackgroundThe rapid implementation of telehealth care due to the COVID-19 pandemic allowed clinical pharmacist practitioners (CPPs) within the Veterans Health Administration (VA) to continue to provide diabetes management to Veterans with healthcare disparities, including rural Veterans.ObjectivesThis project aimed to describe the change in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in telehealth naïve Veterans with types 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) before and after the rapid implementation of CPP-provided telehealth DM management due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The project also sought to describe potential healthcare disparities which may be addressed by the increase in telehealth use and the impact of metformin sustained action (SA) recalls.MethodsAnalysis included patients receiving face-to-face DM-focused visits with a CPP prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (06/01/2019 – 12/01/2019) who transitioned to telehealth care via telephone or VA Video Connect (VVC) during the COVID-19 pandemic (06/01/2020 – 12/01/2020). One or more HbA1c readings within each timeframe was required for inclusion. Patients were excluded if previously enrolled in VA telehealth DM management.ResultsThe rapidly implemented telehealth management of DM provided by VA CPPs was observed to maintain or improve HbA1c control in 84.2% of patients. During the same timeframe, 10.9% of patients were taken off metformin SA secondary to national drug recalls. In total, 76% of patients were from rural communities and over 52% of patients traveled greater than 50 miles round-trip to receive face-to-face DM care prior to the pandemic.ConclusionGlycemic control was improved or maintained for a majority of patients who were rapidly converted to pharmacist-provided telehealth DM management during the COVID-19 pandemic. A large majority of rural patients were reached as a result of CPP-provided telehealth care. This provides evidence to support the continued widespread telehealth utilization to effectively manage DM and reach Veterans with healthcare disparities, particularly rural communities.